The development technology of the Korean rocket 'Nuri' (KSLV-Ⅱ), developed independently by Korea, has been transferred to Hanwha Aerospace. This is the first time that the system technology of the Korean rocket, developed under the guidance of the government, has been officially transferred to the private sector. It is expected that the pace of private-led space development in News Space will accelerate further.
The Korea Aerospace Administration announced on the 25th that a transfer contract for the technology of Nuri was signed at the main headquarters of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in Daejeon. The representatives of KARI and Hanwha Aerospace signed the technology transfer contract in the presence of Administrator Yoon Young-bin.
The technology fee has been set at 20.4 billion won, which is the research and development (R&D) expense incurred in the development of Nuri. Overall technology related to the design, manufacture, and launch operations of Nuri will be transferred from KARI to Hanwha Aerospace. The related technical documents amount to 16,050.
The Korea Aerospace Administration stated that this technology transfer contract will not only ensure the successful advancement of the Korean rocket advancement project but will also serve as a catalyst for Korea's space industry to secure competitiveness in the global market in the long term.
Yoon Young-bin, the head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, noted, "The signing of this technology transfer contract reaffirms the government's commitment to fostering the space industry and marks an important first step towards opening an era of private-centered space development," adding, "We will spare no institutional and financial support to ensure that tight cooperation between KARI and private companies continues."
Nuri was developed with an investment of about 2 trillion won from 2010 to 2022. Over 300 aerospace companies participated in the production of Nuri, achieving a domestic production rate of 95%. Currently, only six countries— the United States, Russia, China, Europe, Japan, and India—can launch practical satellites and spacecraft weighing over 1 ton independently, but with the successful launch of Nuri in May 2023, Korea became the seventh country to join their ranks.
Hanwha Aerospace was selected as the lead corporation for the 'Korean Rocket Advancement Project' to commercialize the technology of Nuri, which was transferred to private companies in 2022. Until the 3rd launch in 2023, Nuri was produced and launched under the guidance of KARI, but from this year's 4th launch, a launch vehicle produced under the overall supervision of the system integration corporation Hanwha Aerospace will be launched.
Hanwha Aerospace plans to launch Nuri three times a year until 2027. In this process, the related technology and know-how will be sequentially transferred until the end of the project. Hanwha Aerospace will also pursue improvements to Nuri.
Nuri is currently evaluated as lacking competitiveness as a commercial launch vehicle. Hanwha Aerospace plans to increase the size of the fairing, which is the satellite protection cover at the front of the launch vehicle, to accommodate larger satellites.
Until now, when Nuri was launched with small satellites, there were no issues with the fairing size, but the company has judged that the current fairing is too small for it to be used as a commercial launch vehicle. Hanwha Aerospace is also looking into ways to reduce unnecessary parts or weight.